First 8a Onsight for Hazel Findlay

Top British trad climber Hazel Findlay has been working her way up through the sport grades this spring, culminating in an 8a onsight at the French limestone venue of Les Gorges du Tarn.

Hazel, who has previously redpointed 8b and onsighted 7c+, as well as climbed E9 and free climbed El Capitan, has been focusing on steep limestone sport climbing, which is an area she feels she is 'weak' in.

Hazel onsighted the 45m long 8a Les ailes du désir at the Tennessee Arete area of Les Gorges du Tarn, and commented:

"I'm not sure about counting it as an 8a onsight, it didn't feel that hard."

They never do if you don't fall off Hazel! Well done!

Next up for Findlay is a trip to the limestone big walls of Morocco in the Taghia area, followed by a road trip around the UK for some sea cliff trad climbing.

With her granite crack, limestone sport and big-wall free climbing skills, Hazel is fast becoming the UK's top all around female climber. She also has alpine ambitions and has been putting in the time this winter to learn to ski in big mountain terrain.

"I would like to say that I want to learn how to ski 'to improve my skills in the mountains', so 'I can ski into alpine routes in the future'. This is true, but I mainly want to ski because skiing is ridiculously fun, even if I did face plant on numerous occasions."